CVE-2020-15704: The modprobe child process in the ./debian/patches/load_ppp_generic_if_needed patch file incorrectly handled m

Q: How do I fix CVE-2020-15704?

ppp: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2020-15704 being exploited?

CVE-2020-15704 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2020-15704 affect?

CVE-2020-15704 affects ppp. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.5). The modprobe child process in the ./debian/patches/load_ppp_generic_if_needed patch file incorrectly handled module loading. A local non-root attacker could exploit the MODPROBE_OPTIONS environment variable to read arbitrary root files. Fix

Q: How urgent is CVE-2020-15704?

Priority 32/100. On your watchlist

Routine

MEDIUM 5.5WATCHLISTMITIGATE

CVE-2020-15704 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.5) affecting ppp. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The modprobe child process in the ./debian/patches/load_ppp_generic_if_needed patch file incorrectly handled module loading. A local non-root attacker could exploit the MODPROBE_OPTIONS environment variable to read arbitrary root files. Fixed in 2.4.5-5ubuntu1.4, 2.4.5-5.1ubuntu2.3+esm2, 2.4.7-1+2ubuntu1.16.04.3, 2.4.7-2+2ubuntu1.3, 2.4.7-2+4.1ubuntu5.1, 2.4.7-2+4.1ubuntu6. Was ZDI-CAN-11504.

Why this priority

On your watchlist

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.5 (Medium)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.4% (top 70%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-200, CWE-20
Published	2020-09-01
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Canonical Ltd. · Vendor: canonical

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2020-09-01 00:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 02:57 UTCUpdated Record last modified

canonical ppp MITIGATE

Affected: < 2.4.7-1\+ubuntu1.16.04.3 · < 2.4.7-2\+2ubuntu1.3 · < 2.4.7-2\+4.1ubuntu5.1 · < 2.4.5-5ubuntu1.4 · < 2.4.5-5.1ubuntu2.3\+esm2

Fixed in: 2.4.5-5.1ubuntu2.3\+esm2, 2.4.5-5ubuntu1.4, 2.4.7-1\+ubuntu1.16.04.3, 2.4.7-2\+2ubuntu1.3, 2.4.7-2\+4.1ubuntu5.1

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy ppp || rpm -q ppp || ppp --version

No fixed or unaffected release known

Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory, disable the affected feature, or restrict network access.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2020-15704?

ppp: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2020-15704 being exploited?

CVE-2020-15704 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2020-15704 affect?

CVE-2020-15704 affects ppp. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.5). The modprobe child process in the ./debian/patches/load_ppp_generic_if_needed patch file incorrectly handled module loading. A local non-root attacker could exploit the MODPROBE_OPTIONS environment variable to read arbitrary root files. Fix

How urgent is CVE-2020-15704?

Priority 32/100. On your watchlist

Software pages

Debian vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2022-4603 MEDIUM 4.3 UPGRADE UPGRADE A vulnerability classified as problematic has been found in ppp
CVE-2008-5366 MEDIUM 6.9 DOWNGRADE The postinst script in ppp 2.4.4rel on Debian GNU/Linux allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a

References

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